Bianca Schersing

Why this persona fits the audience

Senior UX researcher at a 9-person design studio in Berlin; she listens to design and research podcasts on Overcast, then marks segments she may cite in workshop prep and shares the episode notes with her colleagues in Notion.

• Age: 38
• Location: Berlin, Germany
• Occupation: Senior UX researcher
• Income: €88k
• Education: Master's in Human-Computer Interaction
• Company size: 9
• Years in role: 10

“The most insightful moments often come from understanding not just what people do, but why they do it, even when they can't articulate it themselves.”

Bianca Schersing's journey into UX research was a natural evolution from her fascination with how people interact with technology. Growing up in a modest household in a smaller German city, she developed an early appreciation for efficiency and thoughtful design, often finding herself deconstructing how everyday objects worked. Her academic path led her to a Master's in Human-Computer Interaction, where she excelled, driven by a desire to bridge the gap between user needs and technological capabilities. After graduating, she spent a few years at a larger tech firm, gaining valuable experience but feeling constrained by the bureaucracy. Seeking more autonomy and a closer connection to the design process, she moved to Berlin five years ago and joined her current design studio. The studio's lean structure and focus on innovative projects perfectly aligned with her values of practical learning and organized thinking. She quickly rose to Senior UX Researcher, becoming instrumental in shaping the studio's research methodologies. Her income of €88k reflects her expertise and the increasing demand for skilled researchers in the tech hub of Berlin. Bianca is deeply committed to user empathy, seeing it as the cornerstone of effective design. She meticulously organizes her work, using tools like Notion to manage research data, insights, and even personal notes, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. Her current focus involves exploring how AI can enhance the research process, particularly in synthesizing large volumes of qualitative data and identifying nuanced user behaviors. She recently decided to invest in a high-quality microphone and audio editing software to better capture and analyze user interview recordings, aiming to extract richer insights with greater precision. This decision stems from her ongoing effort to refine her research toolkit and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving field. She also dedicates time to personal development, regularly attending workshops and consuming industry content, particularly through her habit of listening to design and research podcasts on Overcast, where she diligently bookmarks key segments for future reference and shares them with her colleagues, fostering a culture of shared learning within the studio.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Bianca's weekday typically begins around 7:00 AM with a quick check of industry newsletters and a strong coffee. She then heads to the gym for a bouldering session or a run before her commute to the studio. Her workday starts with reviewing her meticulously organized Notion tasks and emails. Mornings are often dedicated to research activities – conducting user interviews, analyzing survey data, or preparing workshop materials. After a light lunch, she might spend the afternoon synthesizing findings, collaborating with designers on wireframes, or listening to a podcast segment on Overcast, marking it for later reference. Evenings involve preparing dinner, perhaps tending to her balcony plants, and winding down with a book or a documentary before bed around 10:30 PM.

Lifestyle

Bianca lives a structured yet fulfilling life in Berlin. Her Prenzlauer Berg apartment, though compact, is meticulously organized with thriving plants on her balcony, a small testament to her urban gardening hobby. She prioritizes her health, balancing her demanding work with regular bouldering sessions at a local gym and mindful eating. Financially, she's responsible, saving consistently for future travel and professional development, but enjoys occasional splurges on well-crafted design books or concert tickets. Her social life is a mix of deep connections with a few close friends and engaging with her professional community.

Work life

As a Senior UX Researcher at a small, agile design studio, Bianca thrives on the variety and direct impact of her work. Her days are a blend of planning and executing research studies, synthesizing findings, and collaborating closely with designers and product managers. She champions user-centricity, often finding herself translating complex user needs into actionable insights. The studio's size means she wears multiple hats, contributing to strategy and even light project management. She values the direct feedback loop and the ability to see her research influence product decisions quickly, though the pace can sometimes be intense.

Relationships

Bianca maintains strong, supportive relationships with her close-knit circle of friends, many of whom she met during her university years or at bouldering gyms. Her colleagues at the design studio form a significant part of her professional network; they are a collaborative and intellectually stimulating group who value her methodical approach. She occasionally seeks advice from a former professor who is now a prominent figure in HCI research.

How they decide

Bianca approaches decisions with a blend of thorough research and pragmatic evaluation. She gathers information from multiple sources, weighs pros and cons systematically, and often seeks input from trusted colleagues or mentors. For significant personal or professional choices, she prefers to have a clear rationale and a well-defined plan before committing, avoiding impulsive actions.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, measured cadence, often using precise terminology related to UX and research. Avoids excessive slang or overly casual language in professional settings. Her tone is generally calm and thoughtful, but can become more animated when discussing a particularly interesting research insight or a complex design challenge. She tends to articulate her reasoning thoroughly.